How Do You Propagate Senecio Articulatus?

How Do You Propagate Senecio Articulatus?

The Candle Plant may be reproduced via stem cuttings or division.

Cuttings Propagation

Cut one of the stems right below a junction section to propagate via cuttings.

Air dry the cut stem overnight and placing it in a container with sandy soil to keep it wet and establish roots

Of course, it is handy that the cuttings are usually taken during the growing season, which lasts from early spring through fall in this plant. This manner, you can secure more success.

Division Propagation

In the early spring, carefully take the plant from its container or garden to multiply via division.

Before transplanting, prepare the new containers or garden spaces.

Gently remove the dirt around the root system after removing the plant.

Using a pair of gardening shears, split the root ball into two or more portions.

Each portion should be planted in sandy soil. To stimulate new growth, use a liquid fertilizer once or twice in the spring.

How Do You Care For Senecio Articulatus?

Senecio articulatus, often known as the Candle Plant or Hot Dog Cactus, is a South African native and part of the Asteraceae (Compositae) family.

Other closely related species in the Senecio genus include weeds like Ragwort and Groundsel, as well as garden plants like ‘Dusty Miller’ (Senecio cineraria) and Zinnia.

It is an evergreen perennial that grows to a height of 40 to 60 cm (16-24 inches).

It is suitable for growing in dry desert locations since it is a drought-resistant clump-forming succulent sub-shrub.

Senecio articulatus has pale grey-green succulent stems with deeper green or purple patterns immediately beneath the petioles.

The stems are tubular and joined together. If leaves do form (which happens about half the time), they are frequently split into leaflets, succulent and green on top and purple on the bottom.

Senecio articulatus is dormant for the majority of the year, with the winter months seeing both vegetative development and blooming.

Flowers are white, cup-shaped, and form a cluster on 15 to 25 cm (5-8 inch) long stems. Seeds are tiny and cylindrical in shape.

Senecio Articulatus need the following to thrive;

Sunlight Requirements

Senecio articulatus is a plant that requires full sun with some afternoon shade. If the temperature falls below 0 degrees, it must be kept warm inside the house or in a greenhouse.

It is critical that the plant receives at least 6 hours of direct sunshine for proper development.

Otherwise, the stems will get weaker and may even snap under their own weight. If you live in a particularly hot place in the summer, it is best to shield it during the hours of highest sun incidence to avoid the leaves from being damaged or becoming brown from burns.

Water Requirements

These plants can withstand intense drought. During the summer, the Hot Dog Cactus requires just sporadic watering. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Allow it to dry completely in the winter.

Approximately twice a week during the summer and once every 10-15 days the rest of the year.

Because it is not a plant that requires much watering, this will largely depend on where you live and where it is. Water should be used only when the soil is dry.

Remember that it can survive drought better than it can abuse water and flood it.

As a result, it is preferable to contribute a tiny amount, even over the time frame we are discussing, so that it does not absorb a lot of moisture.

The plant requires extra water if the trunks or stems appear too light green or soft. However, if there is more moisture, the latter can also have an effect. Stick your finger in the soil; if you find wetness, do not water it.

Many of these plants are not watered over the winter to avoid difficulties.

Soil Requirements

Grow the Hot Dog Cactus on sandy soil that is well-drained. A soil mixture of two parts sand, one part loam, one part pea gravel, and one part peat moss is ideal for container-grown plants. Plants should thrive in soils with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5.

It is best to fill the pot with washed river sand, pumice, or Akadama. The use of black peat may hurt it since it does not allow it to root effectively.

One of the essential characteristics of the land you utilize is that it is light and draining. Because this plant dislikes excessive water, you must ensure that there are no water accumulations that might damage the roots.

Fertilization Requirements

Use cactus and succulent fertilizer in the spring and summer according to the package directions. In good soil, little to no fertilizer is needed; in fact, too much fertilizer might harm the plant by driving it into tall, lanky growth that can collapse.

Temperature Requirements

It is not cold resistant. In fact, the plant is believed to be OK up to 7 degrees. The Senecio will suffer as soon as the thermometer drops. That is why it is advised to safeguard it throughout the winter.

If the temperature falls below 0 degrees, it must be kept warm inside the house or in a greenhouse. In USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b, the Hot Dog Cactus grows well in full sun or light shade.

It may live outside in temperatures as low as 25° F (-4° C) in the winter, although prolonged freezing may limit the plant’s development in the spring.

Consider putting it in a container and placing it outside during the warmer months if you live in a chilly climate.

Bring it indoors again in the fall. In the spring, wait until there is no threat of frost before putting it outside.

Senecio articulatus is commonly cultivated as a pot plant inside, but it may also be grown outdoors in mild winter climates; ideally, the temperature should not go below 7°C (45°F).

Does Senecio Articulatus Like Pruning?

Although trimming is not usual with succulents, it is possible to do so with the Senecio plant, both to spend the winter and to manage its development (and incidentally have cuttings).

Cutting must always be done where the stem is solid, and it is normally done in early spring to stimulate development.

However, in fall, the plant can be trimmed to prepare it as long as the plant (and the cut) are sheltered from low temperatures to avoid illnesses or issues.

Can Senecio Articulatus Be Propagated Through Seeds?

The Senecio plant is one of the simplest to multiply since it may be done in a variety of methods. One of the first is via seeds. These may be obtained from flowers and must be planted before they bloom.

Because it is a fast-growing plant, you won’t have to wait long to see the first sprouts, but it is critical to maintaining the soil moist throughout that period because they require continual humidity as well as a warm temperature to germinate (otherwise, they may take longer or not come out).

Germination occurs in the light and usually takes 1-3 weeks. If you intend to transplant outside, do it in the autumn.

What Are The Pests And Diseases That Affect Senecio Articulatus?

Pests and diseases are other crucial aspects of Senecio plant maintenance. Although we are discussing a succulent, which is resistant to pests and diseases, the fact is that you must be cautious in terms of pests and diseases.

In general, it has little effect on him, although insects and rabbits are vulnerable to being eaten. To avoid it, simply hurl some unpleasant liquid or spray at them, and they will be deterred from approaching it.

Mealybugs are another insect to be cautious of since they may harm you.

Botrytis is one of the most significant diseases. We’re talking about a gray mold that can spread throughout the body and cause necrosis. It usually begins around the flowers and foliage and works its way up to the buds, buds, and stems.

It is difficult to differentiate since we frequently believe that it is something natural derived from old plant components, yet it can harm it.

The answer to this problem is to remove the damaged areas and treat those that remain in order to prevent the disease from spreading further.

Milk fungicides, neem oil, bicarbonate, or purin from nettles and/or horsetail are the most commonly suggested.

Is Senecio Articulatus Toxic Plant?

We must inform you, as a curiosity but also as a caution, that it is a highly dangerous plant. To avoid difficulties, it is suggested that you always handle it with gloves and wash your hands afterward.

This means that if you have pets, it is not the best choice, especially if your animals like to approach and/or bite plants.

In addition to keeping the plant free from bugs, keep it away from horses, dogs, and cats. Toxins in the plant can cause poisoning in animals if consumed.

Avoid planting this plant in regions where animals could be enticed to consume it.

How Do You Repot Senecio Articulatus?

Use some of the original soil before transplanting the plant. In the early spring, repot.

When repotting Senecio Articulatus, it is important to take into account the plant’s root system.

The roots of this plant are very delicate, so it is important to be careful when handling them. If the roots are damaged, the plant will not be able to absorb water and nutrients properly, which can lead to problems with growth.

To repot Senecio Articulatus, first, remove the plant from its current pot. Gently loosen the roots and remove any old potting mix.

Place the plant in its new pot and fill with fresh potting mix. Water the plant thoroughly and place it in a warm, sunny location.